A Russian spy ship fled UK territorial waters after a Royal Navy submarine surfaced alongside it in a show of force, the Defense Secretary revealed today.
John Healey told MPs he approved a mission targeting the Yantar, saying it was “lurking around the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure” at the time.
The ship headed towards the Mediterranean, followed by RAF surface ships and aircraft after being spooked by the submarine in the North Sea in November.
But it is currently making the return journey across the English Channel, followed again by Navy warships, the Commons were told.
This is the latest incident in which Russian ships have been accused of shady behaviour.
Almost 200 RN sailors were withdrawn on Christmas Day so they could be deployed to track Russian warships sighted in the North Sea and English Channel.
The frigate HMS Somerset set sail on Friday 27 December to monitor the corvette RFS Soobrazitelny and two support vessels, MV Sparta II and MV General Skobelev, for almost 500 miles.
Mr Healey told MPs today: “I also wanted President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from strong action to protect this country.”
John Healey told MPs he approved a mission targeting the Yantar, saying it was “lurking around the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure” at the time.
The ship headed to the Mediterranean, followed by RAF surface ships and aircraft after being spooked by the submarine in the North Sea in November. But it is currently making the return journey across the English Channel, followed again by Navy warships (pictured), the Commons were told.
Mr Healey told MPs today: “I also wanted President Putin to hear this message: we see you, we know what you are doing and we will not shy away from strong action to protect this country.”
‘It was detected lurking over the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure. To deter any potential threats, I took measured measures as part of a clear and direct response to the Russian vessel.
‘RAF maritime patrol aircraft were deployed alongside HMS Cattistock, HMS Tyne and RFA Proteus to track Yantar’s every move.
“Today I also wanted to confirm to the House that I authorized a Royal Navy submarine, strictly as a deterrent measure, to surface near Yantar to make it clear that we had been covertly monitoring its every move.
“The ship then left UK waters without further delay and sailed towards the Mediterranean.”
He added: “Let me be clear: this is a Russian spy ship used to gather intelligence and map the UK’s critical underwater infrastructure.
‘Yantar entered the United Kingdom’s exclusive economic zone on Monday, about 45 miles off the British coast.
“Over the past two days, the Royal Navy has deployed HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne to monitor the ship every minute across our waters.”
Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge said he supported the Government’s openness about how it was tackling the Russian naval threat.
Cartlidge said the Conservative opposition stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the Labor Party in its approach.
He said: “We welcome that transparency because it is fundamental to our preparation for war… that, to the best of our ability, and without compromising our national security and our operational security, we tell the British public the truth about the seriousness of the Russian threat. and what that will inevitably mean for public defense spending.
‘I specifically welcome the change to the Royal Navy’s rules of engagement. This sends a powerful signal to Putin that we will not be intimidated and that if his goal is to continue pushing the boundaries of malign activity in our waters and those near us, we will respond.’